New ethics policy at National Public Radio

I recently wrote about a problem I see with media reporting, in my article: The Wikipediazation of the mainstream media. I bemoaned the tendency of news organizations to repeat whatever newsmakers say, without regard to whether it’s true or not. They cover “both sides of an issue” by finding two people with opposing opinions, giving equal time to facts and spin.

I did not know when I wrote my article that a news source that I have listened to for decades and for which I have the highest regard1, National Public Radio, introduced a new “Ethics Handbook” last month that addresses my concern specifically. It says, in part:

At all times, we report for our readers and listeners, not our sources. So our primary consideration when presenting the news is that we are fair to the truth. If our sources try to mislead us or put a false spin on the information they give us, we tell our audience. If the balance of evidence in a matter of controversy weighs heavily on one side, we acknowledge it in our reports. We strive to give our audience confidence that all sides have been considered and represented fairly.

As I have had the opportunity to read the handbook in detail, I have found many principles that I can apply in my own writing and blogging. I very much appreciate the section on accuracy, for example. A lot of it I knew, but having it codified is good and I don’t feel like I’m flying by the seat of my pants.

I would note that NPR notes corrections and listerner feedback daily. And I can’t think of a time when they let two “commentators” go at each other unrestrained or unchecked. It is a far more communal platform and model. I enjoy the near complete absence of talking heads.

I think it needs to be noted that “public radio” has a large marketplace of different “vendors”. Some programming is independent of any of the large distributors. Some programming has even switched distributors, such as Selected Shorts from NPR to Public Radio International. I’ve heard of a lot of people lumping all of public radio broadcasting into “NPR”.

There was controvesy over the participation of the radio host Lisa Simeone. She actually worked as a contractor for the show she was most identied with – Soundprint, which was created and distributed by an independent producer. She also produced a show for an NPR affiliate that was distributed by NPR. She was fired by the latter, but many people attributed her firing to NPR, which didn’t drop her.

Fox News will not be moving into Canada after all! The reason: Canadian regulators announced last week they would reject efforts by Canada’s right-wing Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, to repeal a law that forbids lying on broadcast news.

Canada’s Radio Act requires that “a licenser may not broadcast … any false or misleading news.” The provision has kept Fox News and right-wing talk radio out of Canada and helped make Canada a model for liberal democracy and freedom.

Sorry, but RFK Jr is wrong. He correctly took information about the regulator and Candian Parliament ending a 10 year long effort to change Canada’s Radio act and incorrectly assumed that it meant that Fox News is not allowed in Canada (or he is conflating it with the rejected effort to create a Fox News Canada in 2003). The fact is that Fox News is currently available on almost every cable system in Canada. I wish this was not true because it would make communication with my uncle a whole lot more pleasant, but it is (see Wikipedia or go to tvguide, enter in a canadian location and check out the results)

“Ironically, the foreign press reported widely on the story. For example, Pravda — that’s right, the former official organ of the Soviet Communist Party — did an extensive analysis of Mr. Arpaio’s findings.”

That’s a Washington Times columnist talking about an American FReeper’s Pravda.ru article… not THE Pravda.

sactosintolerant: That’s a Washington Times columnist talking about an American FReeper’s Pravda.ru article… not THE Pravda.

It ain’t called the Moonie Times fer nuthin’!

The Washington Times is a daily broadsheet newspaper published in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. It was founded in 1982 by Unification Church founder Sun Myung Moon, and until 2010 was owned by News World Communications, an international media conglomerate associated with the church.
…. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Washington_Times

Every aspect of our Capitol, even its newspapers, has a stupid half. If The Post makes the same mistake, that’s a story. (They didn’t, did they?)

(Steering back on topic) I put one over on my Canadian dentist one time. I was in the chair having molars filled on both sides so my mouth was packed with junk. He said, “You Americans know nothing about Canada. You probably don’t even know we had an election yesterday.”

With everything I could muster, I forced the words through the packing:

“The Parti Québécois lost seats.”

He was speechless. Of course, I had heard that on Morning Edition (NPR) on the way to his office.

Dr. Conspiracy: With everything I could muster, I forced the words through the packing:

“The Parti Québécois lost seats.”

And then did you say?

“Bonasera, Bonasera. What have I ever done to make you treat me so disrespectfully?”

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